Women attending a training in Maroua II in Northern Cameroon. Photo; ALVF-EN
Fòs Feminista’s partners commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Trapped in an abusive relationship after fleeing Islamic insurgents in her home in Northern Nigeria, Yanziye Modou, a 19-year-old mother of an infant, did not know where else to turn.
“When my parents were killed, I was to become a bride to a member of [Boko Haram]. But I was able to escape to Cameroon where my older sister found refuge before me and I lived with her for a few months, later she gave me to a man who made me his wife.’’
With no other option to survive, Yanziye reluctantly agreed. But she would soon find herself facing violence again—this time, at the hands of her husband. ‘’I did not want to be married to this man,” she said. “I wanted to run away but I didn’t know where to go. One day, against the wishes of my sister and my mother-in-law I attended a sensitization session hosted by the ALVF-EN and after that, I approached one of them to share my problem and they immediately helped me.’’
In Cameroon, where more than one out of every three women face intimate partner violence,1 circumstances like Yanziye’s are tragically all too common. The Cameroon-based Association for Combatting Violence against Women (Association de Lutte Contre les Violences Faites aux Femmes-Extreme Nord) or ALVF-EN, a Fòs Feminista partner, provides survivors of gender-based violence with counselling, therapy, and other psychosocial and economic support to enable them regain control of their lives.
Boko Haram’s rise and insurgency have dramatically changed the lives of thousands of women and girls, forcing them into new roles outside the domestic sphere including Yanziye. ALVF-EN is committed to supporting survivors and has managed to build a safe space for young women like her who needed support to recover from the trauma and violence they have experienced as well as to navigate their new, more independent reality. They also provide survivors with vocational skills so as a source of income.
For sustainability of improved livelihood, the AVLF-EN provided Yanziye with a sewing kit and she makes clothing and handmade crafts as a way of generating income. Yanziye now raises awareness in her community and helps other young women and girls access the same services that changed her life.
‘’The ALVF-EN staff took me to the hospital after being beaten by my husband, I underwent several therapies and received all the necessary support that allowed me to get up and take charge of my life. Today I am a mother, I take care of my child and myself. Thanks to the economic support received from the association, I am independent. I understand that I have rights and that I can also make my own decisions. I can now raise awareness around me in order to help other young girls or women who are in the same situation. If I hadn’t received support and services from the association, I would certainly have died.’’ she says.
Elimination of gender-based violence and care for survivors are key activities of many of our partner organizations around the world. The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is a key date for all of us as we reaffirm our commitment with women, girls, and gender-diverse people.
